Wagyu Beef: The Journey from Farm to Plate

One more of the unique steaks has joined the league, Wagyu Beef which originated from Japan and is now celebrated around the world. It is a luxurious steak which comes with exceptional flavor, intricate marbling and buttery tenderness. Wagyu Beef is an authentic and ancient kind of steak which is widely appreciated for its meticulous breeding, feeding and care. What truly sets the Wagyu Beef apart from others is its high-quality, rich marbling, ultimate tenderness and more. 

The farmers who raise these cattle prioritize their well-being by providing nutrient-rich diets, stress- free surroundings, regular health check-ups and many more. The origins of the Wagyu steak trace back over 2,000 years, beginning with the early development of this exceptional beef. Over the centuries, it has evolved significantly, and today, Wagyu beef is recognized as one of the most prized and luxurious steaks in the world. 

The journey of Wagyu beef from farm to plate is truly remarkable. The cattle are raised with exceptional care and meticulous attention for over 30 months before the meat is expertly processed and distributed, ensuring its unmatched quality and flavor. Additionally, we have unfolded a bundle of interesting facts in this thorough guide about the Wagyu Beef, from its origin to its pricing and many other details. 

What is Wagyu Beef?

The term Wagyu is a combination of two words, ‘Wa’ which means Japanese and ‘gyu’ which means cow. Wagyu is known for producing premium cuts like Tenderloin Steak, which shares a melt-in-your-mouth quality with this prized beef. This specific breed native to Japan includes Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Polled and Japanese Shorthorn, and among all these, Japanese Black is considered as the best for producing the highest quality of beef.

Wagyu beef undergoes a meticulous selection process, guided by strict protocols. After thorough genetic testing, only the finest cattle are approved further. This rigorous focus on genetics ensures that Wagyu beef achieves a level of quality unmatched by other steaks. These testings are the reason that the Wagyu Beef is of premium quality,  highly prized, rich flavored, and gives a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness infused with luxurious juices. 

History of the Wagyu Beef 

Wagyu Beef, a remarkable steak, spans more than thousands of years, but its development as we know it today began much later. 

• It started with ancient beginnings as the cattle were introduced to Japan from China and Korea around the 2nd century A.D. At that time, these cattle were only used for agricultural purposes and not for consumption. Then, for centuries, Japan’s geography and cultural isolation resulted in the development of unique breeds that later became the foundation for Wagyu. 

• The Edo Period lasted from 1603 to 1868 and during this time, Japan imposed a ban on meat consumption by getting influenced by buddhist practices. At that time the cattle were bred as draft animals. 

• At the time of the Meiji Restoration in the late 1800s, Japan began to open their borders for the west and Western cattle breeds like, Angus, Shorthorn, Simmental, and more were introduced and crossbred with the Japanese native cattle to improve their quality, size, strength and more. But reaching the early 20th century, Japan again started isolating these breeds with choosing for traits like marbling, meat or fat quality and more. 

• In the period between 1945 to 1980s, in Japan the Wagyu began to gain recognition as a delicacy after World War-2. With this the demand for premium beef increases and specific Wagyu brands like Kobe beef, Omi beef, Matsusaka beef and more are established as regional specialties.

• In the 1970s and 1980s, Wagyu Beef was introduced to the world and Wagyu cattle were first exported to the United States and Australia in little quantity. With these exports, Wagyu’s production began outside Japan by crossbreeding the Wagyu cattle with local cattle. By the end of 1990s, wagyu beef started gaining international recognition for its vibrant flavor and rich marbling. 

• After the 2000s till today, Wagyu Beef gained global recognition with demand growing around the world. But still, Japan is maintaining strict regulations to safeguard its authentication. However, several countries have developed their own wagyu programs. 

Today, Wagyu Beef is known widely for its luxurious flavors. Wagyu Beef stands apart with its ages-old heritage, refined breeding, rich marbling, as a true testament to japan’s commitment to culinary artistry. 

Process of Wagyu Farming

The production and raising of the Wagyu Beef involves dedication and hard work for an outstanding outcome. Here’s closer look to the process of Wagyu Farming- 

• Breeding and Genetics- Wagyu farming starts with carefully choosing genetics. Breeding is an essential point for producing high-quality wagyu’s beef. Cattle are chosen based upon genetic traits as it leads to high marbling, tenderness and other meat qualities. However, farmers also use advanced genetic techniques for passing the best traits to other generations. 

• Raising the Cattle- Wagyu cattle are carefully raised while eliminating the stress-level to ensure well-being and promote marbling of the cattle The feeding of the Wagyu Cattle is also essential and it includes the high-quality grains like, silage, beer, sake mash, rice straw, corn, and more. Wagyu cattle are raised more slowly than other beef breeds and they are often fed for 30 months or for even longer, to ensure a better level of marbling and tenderness.

• Care and stress- management of the cattle- During the Wagyu farming process, farmers also massage and brush the cattle as brushing contributes in improving the blood flow and overall muscle tone of the cattle. Another thing is that cattle are raised in peaceful environments with limited physical strain and handling as stress can affect the quality of the beef. 

• Slaughter and Processing- After raising the cattle with effort and it reaches a suitable age and marbling level, the cattle are slaughtered and the meat is carefully butchered and graded. The Wagyu Beef is graded based on two factors, yield grade which is the amount of usable meat and quality grade which focuses on marbling, fat quality and more. The highest grade of Wagyu beef is graded as A5 Wagyu. After the slaughtering, meat undergoes the process of dry aging or wet aging, to elevate the taste and quality of the meat. 

• Marketing and Exporting- As the Wagyu Beef is one of the most luxurious meats in the world, it is usually marketed under certain regional brands, like Kobe in Japan, as this brand is known for producing the expensive and high-quality Wagyu Beef. as the Wagyu Beef is demanded globally, so it is exported to various countries from Japan. Some of the counties have even adopted Wagy farming but still they do not provide the same Japanese Wagyu Beef. 

Cooking the Wagyu Beef

Cooking the luxurious Wagyu Beef brings life to the meal and all the qualities like marbling, rich flavor, tenderness and more are put to test. Cooking Wagyu Beef is simple yet allows the natural flavors, much like when preparing a Ribeye Steak, to stand out. Here’s a process of preparing and cooking the ultimate Wagyu Beef- 

Ingredients- 

• 4-5 oz of Wagyu Beef

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• 2 smashed garlic cloves

• 2 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Sea Salt and black pepper as per the taste

Cooking Process- 

• Start by bringing the Wagyu steak to room temperature and take the steak out from the fridge for around 40-50 minutes before cooking. Then slightly season the steak with salt and pepper. The seasoning of the steak should be simple to enhance the original flavor of the steak. 

• Then, preheat a skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and let it heat. Place the steak into the pan and sear them for around 5 minutes from both the sides and cook it on medium-rare only.

• Cook the steak till it forms caramelized crust from outside. After searing, you can add butter, smashed garlic, fresh thyme and other preferred ingredients to the pan. 

• After the butter melts, you can also baste the steak with butter for a more buttery taste. 

• Remove the steak from the pan and let the steak rest for a few minutes. Slice the steak against the grain and serve it with desired slides, dips or sauces for a more zingy and flavorful taste.

It is a simple yet delicious recipe for cooking Wagyu Beef to let the beef allow its natural flavor to take the center stage. However, you can customize the beef as per your taste and preferences. 

The Price of Wagyu Beef

As of now, we know that the Wagyu Beef is one of the most luxurious and high-quality beef, one thing is confirmed that it is very highly priced. Due to the careful farming methods, Certified Angus Ribeye Steak is often considered on par with Wagyu in terms of quality and price. The high-graded Japanese Wagyu beef specific cut like A5 can cost around $200 per pound. Wagyu Beef is a rare and premium cut of beef which is hard to find but demanded more. 

One of the primary reasons that contributes to the high-price of Wagyu Beef is that these cattle have expensive diets. The farmers raise cattle by feeding them the best-quality of the grains which are more priced than ordinary grains. The Japanese farmers have very high land costs for raising the Wagyu cattle, and this factor ensures that the cattle is grazed properly which adds to the marbling of the meat. 

Japan holds a monopoly on Wagyu beef, and despite efforts by other various countries to breed and raise (American Wagyu & Australian Wagyu, etc)  but none have been able to recreate the unparalleled luxury and quality of Japanese Wagyu beef. As a result, Japan exports this remarkable beef at a premium price, while demand continues to soar worldwide. 

Conclusion

The journey of Wagyu Beef is a testament to the dedication, expertise and artistry which has now touched the heights of success. The unmatched Wagyu Beef has been serving as a luxurious and comforting cut of beef that is widely admired. In this detailed article, we have discussed what is Wagyu Beef?. the history of Wagyu beef, the process of farming Wagyu Beef, preparation or cooking method, price of the luxurious beef and more. The journey of Wagyu Beef from farm to plate has been remarkable, so the next time you savor the Wagyu Beef, take a moment to appreciate its wonderful journey which is rooted in tradition, authenticity, and craftsmanship that has brought it to your dining table.